Over the past weeks, we have discussed many responsibilities of a godly man. These included how we respond biblically to relationships within our family and others, both in the Church and outside. These are all important, but in truth, none of them are even possible if we don’t first learn to honor God and give him glory. Therefore, we need to understand what this means. (NOTE: this will be a bit more academic than most posts but stick with me and it will make sense.)
The Hebrew word most used for “glory” in the OT is kabod (or often kabad – same root word). This is often translated as glory or honor. This is not only interchangeable between translations but is also used both ways within the same translation. The root definition is weight or heaviness. Since the ancient unit of financial exchange was often real goods, (metals, grain, oil, etc.) the heavier your unit of trade, the richer you are. In human terms, the wealthier you are, the more respected by people and the more worthy of their attention.
The Greek word in the NT is doxa. In its secular usage, it means reputation or opinion. This is the term the NT writers most often used to describe the same thought as the OT kabod for glory and honor. Putting these ideas together, giving glory to God means to offer our opinion that God has a reputation of richness or high worth; that he is worthy.
Therefore, God wants us to glorify him (affirm his worth) as a recognition of his infinite greatness. For him, it is a fragrant offering, pleasing to him. In all honesty, it is all we have to offer. He doesn’t NEED our time, talents, or treasures. He allows us to give them for our benefit (see below). Without our ability to give glory and honor to God, we have nothing to offer.
For us, the benefits of giving glory and honor to God are very practical. If truly offered, it reminds us of our place before God. He is God, we are not! He is infinitely perfect; we are fallible and will never reach worthiness in our own strength. This understanding will hopefully, drive us to our knees in humility and dependency upon him.
By his grace, we are given the privilege of offering our glory, honor, worship, and service to God. Again, he needs none of this to affirm his perfection. In fact, without the sacrifice of Jesus to purchase our redemption, we are not qualified to offer even these things to God. But by allowing our participation, God affirms the power of his redemption. My imperfection is made perfect in him (positional sanctification) which is what frees me to enter his presence in the first place. When I glorify God through my genuine worship and service, I am drawn into a bond that empowers me to increase my gifts. This process (experiential sanctification) tightens my hold on my faith and offers me God’s blessing. This blessing cannot be measured by the standards of this world, (more money, better health, less trouble) but is the peace that passes understanding, unspeakable joy, and perfect love.
In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul gives us a practical picture of our opportunity to offer God glory and honor through out lives. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.